Las Vegas March Madness 18-21st

Kottja · Jan 22, 2010

Guys,

I have been to Vegas a bunch of times but never for the tourney. What time to the books start to get lines at the windows in the morning. Also has anyone been to the "new harrahs sports pit" I talked to my host and he comped me 3 nights so I will be thrilled if that is a decent place to watch the games. Any recs on other Harrahs properties? Thanks guys.

DNoonan · Jan 22, 2010

Place is a madhouse during the tourney....most books are overflowing and you often have to get in line 20-45 mins prior to tip to get down...not worth the hassle IMO

(with that said I will be going back as I have a couple free nights at theHOTEL that expire the last weekend in March...got LOCKED IN the room for a few hours and they had to crowbar us out last march madness...talk about a fire hazard)

Kottja · Jan 22, 2010

wow, that is outraugous to wait in line that long!
HAve you ever been to the Harrahs sports pit? It looked pretty cool last time i was there but i have yet to set it remodelled. I wonder if the economy will kepp people home this year.,

TomGshotput · Jan 22, 2010

Notice he said "during the tourney." Most of the games have the lines out for several days before when there is no waiting. Just arrive a day earlier

Kottja · Jan 22, 2010

that looks like the plan, the last thing i want to do is stand in line all morning. thanks. how about harrahs sports pit anyone ever been after the remodle?

DarkStar · Jan 22, 2010

Just my opinion:I can't imagine The Harrah's sports pit being any thing that good.Harrah's has a habit of ruining anything they get a hold of.

Can't wait to get out there for the tourney.Will probably be at The Hilton.

kidman232 · Jan 22, 2010

ive been out in vegas the past few march madness and the lines before tip off of the early games are ridiculous. It can stretch a few hundred feet minimum. lines will also start forming for the 2nd batch of games with about 10 mins or so remaining in the morning round of games

jeckll · Jan 22, 2010

Most of the games have the lines out for several days before when there is no waiting. Just arrive a day earlier

Huh? It's a tournament. Matchups beyond the first round are not known "earlier"

TomGshotput · Jan 22, 2010

This isn't high school wrestling. There matchups are known close to 48 hours in advance for the second round games, five days in advance for the third round games. Even for the shorter turn-around, the betting window is open 'til at least one in the morning well after the last game ended and there will be no waiting then

pickempete · Jan 23, 2010

Go to South Point casino, upstairs in the ball room, plenty of seating and big screen TV's. The lines are not very long until about 5 min before tip off.

Akillies · Jan 23, 2010

lines form the nite before. plan ahead like tom said or you will spend all your time in line or get shutout. i recomend a laptop and offshore

stef · Jan 23, 2010

Was at the MGM last year for opening round. We got there at about 5 in the mourning and the seats were more than half taken and by 6 it was full. Now this thing about no comp drinks when betting sports (betting horses is ok) is another issue. They have tighten their belts down there.

Mr_Mark · Jan 23, 2010

pickempete said:
Go to South Point casino, upstairs in the ball room, plenty of seating and big screen TV's. The lines are not very long until about 5 min before tip off.

off from the rest of vegas but a great hotel and a great place to stay. very nice rooms, no crowds, great prices.

SixthSense · Jan 24, 2010

Kottja said:
Guys,

I have been to Vegas a bunch of times but never for the tourney. What time to the books start to get lines at the windows in the morning. Also has anyone been to the "new harrahs sports pit" I talked to my host and he comped me 3 nights so I will be thrilled if that is a decent place to watch the games. Any recs on other Harrahs properties? Thanks guys.

Don't know about Harrahs. The biggest issue is having to get there early enough to find seats, esepcially if you have a bunch of people in your party.

Like someone pointed out, South Point and Hilton both open up their conference rooms and you can literally walk in five minutes after the games start and get a seat. Hilton was more crowded than SP but seats were available last year after the games tipped off. There are probably other casinos doing the same thing.

The SP has betting in the ball room and Hilton makes you walk down the hall way to bet - not that far from the ball room. The only negative to this is you don't have the board in front of you to see when a line moves but other than that, this is the best way to watch these games.

Willye · Jan 24, 2010

word of advice get there early, its like black friday

KillaRSox · Jan 24, 2010

DNoonan said:
Place is a madhouse during the tourney....most books are overflowing and you often have to get in line 20-45 mins prior to tip to get down...not worth the hassle IMO

(with that said I will be going back as I have a couple free nights at theHOTEL that expire the last weekend in March...got LOCKED IN the room for a few hours and they had to crowbar us out last march madness...talk about a fire hazard)

I was out there for March Madness 2 years ago, and almost all of the power in las vegas went out. It was a crazy, hectic time.

REDEYE · Jan 24, 2010

Best thing to do is get in there on Tuesday or Wedenesday and start making your plays. Why some start Thursday am is beyond me ! People start playing there games from session to session and are always in these lines all weekend long. If you see a good line play some of your Friday games on Thursday so you can at least avoid some of them. Usually by Thursday night after last game as started lines really clear up. Play your Friday games then instead of next morning, that will give you time to shop for better lines on the strip.

SwiftyJ · Jan 24, 2010

get in early. it is just as nuts as described

DesertDevil · Jan 24, 2010

Tip:
Get in the horse betting line that is WAY shorter. Put $2 down on a horse. Then ask the ticket writer if you can make a couple basketball bets. They usually say yes.

SwiftyJ · Jan 24, 2010

Wildcat Coach said:
Tip:
Get in the horse betting line that is WAY shorter. Put $2 down on a horse. Then ask the ticket writer if you can make a couple basketball bets. They usually say yes.

i am going to try that. thanks